Joao Plata

Acquired in a trade with Toronto on Jan. 30, 2013, the 21-year-old Plata became the latest discarded MLS player to have a re-birth at Real Salt Lake. Much like RSL defender Aaron Maund, the talented Plata was a victim of some turbulence at TFC, which sent him on a loan to Ecuadorian side LDU Quito halfway through 2012 before trading him to RSL last offseason.

Plata blossomed for Real Salt Lake during the 2013 season, scoring four goals and notching eight assists in 29 appearances – including 19 starts – in league play. The diminutive 21-year-old Ecuadorian has strong partnerships with all of the Claret-and-Cobalt forwards, and used his quickness, skill and some excellent combination play to frustrate opposing defenses throughout 2013. Plata played in two 2013 postseason games and assisted on Javier Morales’ goal in the Western Conference Championship first leg against Portland Timbers.

Whether he features as a starter or is an option off the bench, Plata will be an important player for Real Salt Lake as the team looks to win its second title in 2014.

Acquired

RSL: Acquired by Real Salt Lake on Jan. 30, 2013 in a trade with Toronto FC in exchange for a second round pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft

TOR: Selected with the 49th pick of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft. Officially signed with Toronto on Jan. 10, 2012 following the conclusion of a year-long loan

Professional Career

2013: Made 29 regular season appearances in his first season with RSL, including 19 starts … Registered four goals and eight assists in the regular season … Finished in the top-five for RSL with eight assists (second), 50 shots (second) and 19 shots on goal (second) … Recorded his first assist for RSL in the season opener in a 2-0 win over San Jose Earthquakes on March 3 … Provided an assist in a 1-1 draw with Colorado Rapids on March 16 … Registered two assists in a 2-0 win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC on May 4 … Scored his first goal for the Claret-and-Cobalt in a 4-1 win over Chivas USA on May 19 … Provided an assist in a 3-0 win over FC Dallas on July 13 … Recorded an assist in a 4-3 loss to New York Red Bulls on July 27 … Scored in a 4-2 loss to LA Galaxy on Aug. 17 … Had an outstanding performance in RSL’s 4-2 win over Portland Timbers on Aug. 30, registering one goal and two assists … Scored in the final regular season game – a 2-1 win over Chivas USA on Oct. 23 … Scored two goals and recorded two assists in Real Salt Lake’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup run … Scored the game-winning goal in a 2-1 win over Portland Timbers to advance to the final on Aug. 7 … Scored a goal and registered an assist in RSL’s 5-2 win over Charleston Battery on June 12 … Provided an assist in RSL’s 3-2 win over Atlanta Silverbacks on May 28 … Made two appearances in RSL’s playoff run … Registered one assist on Javier Morales’ goal in the first leg of the Western Conference Championship series against Portland Timbers on Nov. 10

2012: Went on a six-month loan from Toronto FC to Ecuadorian club LDU Quito on July 11 … Played 10 league games – seven starts – for Toronto before leaving for Quito without scoring a goal or adding an assist … Finished his TFC career with 10 goals and nine assists in 52 games across all competitions

2011: Appeared in 26 matches, starting in 21 … Recorded three goals and five assists, while logging 1,753 minutes … His first career goal came on May 7 at BMO Field against Houston … Plata also logged the game-winning assist in the May 7 match against the Dynamo, with the entire performance earning him MLS Player of the Week honors for Week 8 …. Appeared and started in all four of TFC’s matches in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship … Scored one goal in the second leg of the finals against Vancouver … Was named the George Gross Memorial Trophy winner as the tournament’s MVP … Appeared in five of Toronto’s CONCACAF Champions League matches, starting in four … Scored four goals including two during the decisive group stage match in Dallas on October 18 … Was the leading scorer at the 2011 MLS Combine … Drafted by TFC with the 49th overall pick in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft

2010: Made seven appearances in his first full year with Ecuadorian first-division club LDU Quito … Started five matches for Quito and scored one goal, a game-winner against ESPOLI in September

International Career

Ecuador Senior National Team: Has one senior cap for his native Ecuador, coming on as a late game substitute in Ecuador’s 2-2 friendly draw against Canada at BMO Field on June 1, 2011

Ecuador Youth National Teams: Ecuador Under-20’s: Has appeared in multiple games for the Ecuadorian Under-20 National Team

Personal

An avid fan of Reggaeton, Plata is known in the RSL locker room for his dance skills